[2] Diadem appears in the Supplemental pages in Lloyd's Register with slightly different information: her master is J. Noddens, and her trade is that of a London-based transport.

[3] Following the resumption of war with France in early 1803, concern developed in Britain about Napoleon's planned invasion of the United Kingdom.

The British East India Company in November voted to underwrite 10,000 tons (bm) of armed transports to protect Great Britain's coasts.

The vessels were existing, but not EIC, merchantmen that would receive an upgrade in armament and in some cases a naval officer as captain.

The vessels were: Albion, Anacreon, Atlas, Aurora, Chapman, Diadem, Duckenfield, Helder, Indefatigable, Lord Forbes, Lord Nelson, Norfolk, Paragon, Perseus, Robert, Sir Alexander Mitchell, Suffolk, and Triton.